By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The Senior Programme Officer of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Ms Florinda Olawusi, disclosed that at least over 300 patients died of tuberculosis, out of over 6,000 cases recorded in Ogun State in 2023.
This is just as the state is said to have recorded a 100% rise in tuberculosis cases in recent times
Olawusi made this disclosure in Abeokuta, the state capital while speaking with journalists at the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day.
Olawusi expressed concern over a 100% rise from 2019, adding that according to data from the IHVN and USAID TB-LON 3 project for Ogun State, 3,000 cases were recorded in 2019.
She noted that 95% of the patients were already placed on treatment.
“Since the inception of the TB long 3 project in Ogun State which started in 2019, Ogun State was diagnosing a little over 3,000 cases annually but presently from 2019 till now for example last year in 12 months, they were able to diagnose over 6,000 cases which is a huge increment. It’s over a 100% increase in the number of cases diagnosed.
“The treatment lasts for six months. So, what that means is that after six months, once the duration of the treatment is complete, the patient leaves the programme As of last year, we were able to identify 6,000 cases and 95% of them were placed on treatment,” she said.
Responding to questions on the number of deaths, she said “There have been some TB-related deaths in the past year. A little over 300 patients died from TB-related causes last year in Ogun State.”
The State Programme Manager for TB and Leprosy Control, Olusola Taiwo, said, “One of the predisposing factors for TB infection is staying in an overcrowded environment, so people should stay where there is good ventilation, indiscriminate pit, they should try put on their coughing etiquette to prevent the spreading of TB germs.”
The World Health Organisation representative, Omotunde Ogunlaja, advised residents to speak out and contact the nearest health facility if symptoms are suspected
“We just like to tell the residents that TB is curable and we can end it so anybody that shows the signs, coughing for two weeks or more should go to the health facilities and get themselves accessed.
“The assessment is free, and treatment is free, and also, those on the treatment should not be set aside. They should use their drugs” she added.
